NR 507 ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
2026/2027. CHAMBERLAIN
1. Which of the following describes the pathophysiological process of chronic bronchitis?
A. Permanent enlargement of gas-exchange airways accompanied by destruction of
alveolar walls
B. An acute infection or inflammation of the airways or bronchi that is usually self-limiting
C. Inflammatory obstruction of the small airways and bronchioles occurring most
commonly in children
D. Hypersecretion of mucus and chronic productive cough that lasts for at least 3 months of
the year for at least 2 consecutive years
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Chronic bronchitis is defined by mucus hypersecretion and a
productive cough for at least 3 months in 2 consecutive years, distinguishing it from
emphysema which involves alveolar wall destruction.
2. In the development of atherosclerosis, which cell type is responsible for the formation of
‘foam cells’?
A. Macrophages
,B. Endothelial cells
C. Neutrophils
D. Smooth muscle cells
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Macrophages ingest oxidized LDL cholesterol to become foam
cells, which then accumulate in the arterial wall to form fatty streaks.
3. Which mechanism is primarily responsible for the development of Type II Diabetes
Mellitus?
A. Absolute insulin deficiency due to autoimmune destruction of beta cells
B. Increased glucagon secretion by alpha cells leading to hypoglycemia
C. Insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency
D. Destruction of pancreatic delta cells resulting in somatostatin deficiency
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Type II Diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance in target
tissues and a relative failure of beta cells to compensate, unlike Type I which is an absolute
autoimmune deficiency.
4. A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) develops secondary hyperparathyroidism.
What is the underlying cause?
A. Excessive intake of calcium supplements
, B. Failure of the kidneys to activate Vitamin D and subsequent hypocalcemia
C. Hypophosphatemia resulting from decreased dietary intake
D. Direct stimulation of the parathyroid gland by urea
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: In CKD, the kidneys cannot convert Vitamin D to its active form
(calcitriol) and fail to excrete phosphate. The resulting hypocalcemia and
hyperphosphatemia stimulate the parathyroid glands.
5. What is the primary pathophysiologic mechanism of Grave’s disease?
A. Production of antibodies against the TSH receptor that stimulate thyroid hormone
production
B. Destruction of the thyroid gland by cytotoxic T cells
C. A pituitary tumor secreting excessive amounts of TSH
D. Iodine deficiency leading to goiter and hypothyroidism
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Grave’s disease is a Type II hypersensitivity reaction where
thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI) bind to and activate TSH receptors, causing
hyperthyroidism.
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
2026/2027. CHAMBERLAIN
1. Which of the following describes the pathophysiological process of chronic bronchitis?
A. Permanent enlargement of gas-exchange airways accompanied by destruction of
alveolar walls
B. An acute infection or inflammation of the airways or bronchi that is usually self-limiting
C. Inflammatory obstruction of the small airways and bronchioles occurring most
commonly in children
D. Hypersecretion of mucus and chronic productive cough that lasts for at least 3 months of
the year for at least 2 consecutive years
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Chronic bronchitis is defined by mucus hypersecretion and a
productive cough for at least 3 months in 2 consecutive years, distinguishing it from
emphysema which involves alveolar wall destruction.
2. In the development of atherosclerosis, which cell type is responsible for the formation of
‘foam cells’?
A. Macrophages
,B. Endothelial cells
C. Neutrophils
D. Smooth muscle cells
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Macrophages ingest oxidized LDL cholesterol to become foam
cells, which then accumulate in the arterial wall to form fatty streaks.
3. Which mechanism is primarily responsible for the development of Type II Diabetes
Mellitus?
A. Absolute insulin deficiency due to autoimmune destruction of beta cells
B. Increased glucagon secretion by alpha cells leading to hypoglycemia
C. Insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency
D. Destruction of pancreatic delta cells resulting in somatostatin deficiency
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Type II Diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance in target
tissues and a relative failure of beta cells to compensate, unlike Type I which is an absolute
autoimmune deficiency.
4. A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) develops secondary hyperparathyroidism.
What is the underlying cause?
A. Excessive intake of calcium supplements
, B. Failure of the kidneys to activate Vitamin D and subsequent hypocalcemia
C. Hypophosphatemia resulting from decreased dietary intake
D. Direct stimulation of the parathyroid gland by urea
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: In CKD, the kidneys cannot convert Vitamin D to its active form
(calcitriol) and fail to excrete phosphate. The resulting hypocalcemia and
hyperphosphatemia stimulate the parathyroid glands.
5. What is the primary pathophysiologic mechanism of Grave’s disease?
A. Production of antibodies against the TSH receptor that stimulate thyroid hormone
production
B. Destruction of the thyroid gland by cytotoxic T cells
C. A pituitary tumor secreting excessive amounts of TSH
D. Iodine deficiency leading to goiter and hypothyroidism
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Grave’s disease is a Type II hypersensitivity reaction where
thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI) bind to and activate TSH receptors, causing
hyperthyroidism.
